Significant Practice Research Articles

Reconstruction of diets based on the Δ15N values of individual amino acids at three sites in Sichuan, China

AbstractThis study analyzes the nitrogen isotope composition of individual amino acids in collagen extracted from human bone samples from the Gaoshan, Yingpanshan, and Xinyicun sites in Sichuan, where the isotope baseline is unavailable or incomparable with the isotopic data derived from human remains. It aims to understand the food compositions of the inhabitants at these sites, spanning the period from the late Neolithic to the middle Bronze Age, during which time agriculture and domestication of animals were introduced to the region and became increasingly important. The δ15N values of two amino acids, phenylalanine (δ15NPhe) and glutamic acid (δ15NGlu), indicate that the peoples on the Chengdu Plain mainly consumed terrestrial foods. The contribution of aquatic resources to their diet was limited. A possible explanation for the low dependence on aquatic foods is that the developed agriculture and domestication of animals offered sufficient foods. Such subsistence economies and dietary patterns were shaped in the early Baodun period (ca. 2,500–2000 BCE) at the latest and did not seem to change when transiting to the Bronze Age. This study also assesses the significance of these subsistence practices in supporting the social development of the Chengdu Plain.

Impact of succession planning practices on the profitability of Nepalese commercial banks

This study examines the impact of succession planning practices on the return on assets (RoA) of Nepalese commercial banks. The RoA was taken from the annual report of 20 commercial banks for the year 2020. Structured questionnaires were administered to examine the opinions of the respondents regarding succession planning practices. This study has employed descriptive and causal comparative research designs to deal with the fundamental issues associated with the various influencing factors of succession planning in Nepalese commercial banks. The total number of observations for the study consists of 140 respondents mainly working in the human resource department of those banks. The regression model is estimated to test the significance and effect of succession planning practices on profitability. The study revealed that human resource planning, succession planning, training and development, job rotation and organization culture have positive impact on return on assets. It indicates that higher the human resource planning, succession planning, training and development, job rotation and organization culture higher will be the RoA. However, favoritism and nepotism have a negative impact on return on assets. It implies that increase in favoritism and nepotism in an organization leads to decrease in return on assets. The study concluded that succession planning is very important to increase the level of profitability of Nepalese commercial banks. The study identified that out of six independent variables only job rotation and organization culture have significant and positive association with RoA in Nepalese commercial banks.

Implementation of Total Productive Maintenance in a Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company in the Philippines

This paper determines the implementation of total productive maintenance (TPM) at a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the Philippines. It also assesses the significance of TPM practices from the viewpoint of employees involved in production. A total of 44 employees participated in the survey. The data gathered were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 Data analysis. The extent of TPM implementation was ranked by the value of the weighted mean, the practices that had the higher weighted average, implemented to a great extent. The significance of TPM practices was tested with the aid of a t-test statistical tool at a hypothesized mean of 2.5. The findings revealed that the manufacturing company implemented TPM practices to a high extent to maintain integrity and improve production quality by reducing downtime through preventive maintenance, technology assessment and usage, and employee involvement in maintaining their equipment. The results also indicated the significance of TPM practices in improving a company’s production quality. The results of the study provide guidance and references to improve maintenance procedures and improve productivity.

O TRANSNACIONALISMO ENRAIZADO NA PRODUÇÃO E O ‘LUGAR’ DA UNIÃO GLOBAL

Abstract In recent years, the idea of “new labor internationalism” has inspired controversy. The concrete developments emphasized by this debate (the emergence of “global unionism”) combined new strategies and traditional forms of union organization, confusing the established frameworks. In search of the nature of these hybrid arrangements, we explore what lies behind the “invention” of the global union as a new type of union organization, noting how the ideas of rooted transnationalism and network organization offered partial solutions to conflicts that permeate the relations between corporate and union powers. In particular, we discuss the emergence of global agreements and union networks in transnational corporations in manufacturing industries, and their adoption in Brazil. Our conclusion is that although the institutionalization of global unions has been hitherto precarious and contested, it has coherently articulated seemingly contradictory principles. However, given these hesitant compromises and tentative foundations, a critical and multiscalar sensibility is vital to unraveling the significance of the transnational practices of trade unions today.

The Fundamental Principles of Social Sciences

This paper provides an overview of the fundamental principles of social sciences, encompassing a wide range of academic disciplines dedicated to studying human society and human relationships. Drawing from the author’s understanding of social sciences, it offers a comprehensive examination of key concepts and highlights the significance of social science theories and practices. The paper begins by elucidating the definitions of social sciences, emphasizing their interdisciplinary nature and their focus on understanding societal dynamics. It explores the contributions of major thinkers in the field of social sciences, showcasing their intellectual impact and influential ideas. Furthermore, it presents a selection of notable social science thinkers from the 21st century, illustrating the ongoing evolution of the discipline. A core aspect of the paper focuses on the significant role of social scientists in contributing to societal development. It explores their diverse areas of expertise and the application of their research findings to address social issues and shape public policies. Additionally, the paper delves into the main theories and theoretical developments within social sciences, including the theory of governance, governmentality, network theory, and environmentalism. It specifically addresses the intersection of social sciences with climate change, highlighting the unique challenges and perspectives offered by this field. Sustainable development emerges as a prominent discipline within social sciences, with its emphasis on balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. The paper explores its relevance in addressing pressing global challenges. Moreover, it examines the emergence of new theories and practices within social sciences, presenting a glimpse of the evolving landscape of research and scholarship. Considering the future direction of social science research and practices, the paper offers insights into potential areas of exploration and the evolving nature of research methodologies. It addresses key research questions, such as what, why, how, when, where, and for whom, providing a framework for comprehensive inquiry. This paper provides a broad overview of social sciences, elucidating key principles, theories, and notable contributions to societal development. By examining the past and present, it also outlines the potential future trajectory of social science research and practices, shedding light on the significance and relevance of this dynamic field.

Application of HR Analytics in Business

In the ever-evolving landscape of business management, Human Resources (HR) analytics has emerged as a crucial tool for optimizing workforce strategies and enhancing organizational performance. This study delves into the application of HR analytics in the business context, investigating how data-driven insights from various HR processes and employee-related metrics can inform decision-making. By leveraging quantitative analysis and case studies, this research explores how HR analytics offers valuable insights into employee recruitment, retention, training, performance evaluation, and overall workforce management. The abstract underscores the role of HR analytics in identifying trends, predicting future needs, and aligning human capital strategies with business objectives. Moreover, the study highlights challenges such as data privacy, technological integration, and skill gaps that organizations encounter when implementing HR analytics. The findings emphasize the strategic significance of data-driven HR practices in enhancing business competitiveness and sustainability. This study provides actionable insights for HR professionals, managers, and business leaders aiming to harness the potential of HR analytics for informed decision-making and achieving organizational success.

Incentive mechanisms for managing local subcontractors in international construction projects

In the domain of international construction projects, managing supply chains presents distinct challenges due to the intricate task of coordinating multiple stakeholders within diverse cultural, economic, and regulatory contexts. Prior research highlights the significance of incentive mechanisms and collaborative procurement practices, yet the effectiveness of these strategies in augmenting performance for international projects has not been extensively examined. This investigation explores the effects of financial and non-financial incentives on the performance of global construction projects, with a focus on the mediating role of cooperation. Data were gathered from Chinese international contractors and local suppliers and subsequently analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results reveal two separate pathways of influence. Firstly, financial incentives exhibited substantial direct and indirect impacts on project performance; secondly, while non-financial incentives did not directly affect project performance, they significantly impacted cooperation levels, which in turn mediated the relationship between non-financial incentives and project performance. This study provides essential perspectives for managing international construction projects, emphasizing the critical need for the combined application of financial and non-financial incentives to foster cooperation and ultimately achieve superior project outcomes.

Future of Smart Farming Techniques: Significance of Urban Vertical Farming Systems Integrated with IoT and Machine Learning

World population in recent decades has significant impacts on the traditional agricultural systems which has resulted in increased demand for food, land use and deforestation, water scarcity, climate changes but not limited to these impacts. In order to overcome all these issues, there is a need for advanced farming technologies for growing the most demand food crops. Smart farming also known as precision agriculture has evolved which uses the advanced technology to optimize the efficiency and productivity of the farming operations. It involves the integration of various technologies such as IoT sensors, drones, robotics and machine learning technologies, big data analytics to gather data on crop growth, environmental conditions and weather patterns. Vertical framing (VF) is one such precision framing efficient crop growth practices which adapts the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning (ML) technologies in easier manner. Since, the vertical farming is completely an indoor farming technique, they do not depend on the particular geographical locations and outdoor growth parameters (like soil) for crop cultivation; hence, vertical farming is also known as controlled environment agriculture. This article explores the significance of different indoor vertical farming practices under controlled environment with the comparative analysis, efficiency, productivity, advantages and their potential benefits highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural practices that can meet the growing demand for food while minimizing the negative environmental impacts.

Heuristic methods of decision support in project management

The article is devoted to the use of informal methods in the processes of justification of choice and decision-making in project activities. The classification of selection methods is given, the essence of project activity is determined, its fundamental difference from operational activity. The significance and value of heuristic practices for increasing the validity of a design decision is shown.

칙센트미하이의 시스템 모델로 해석하는 쇤베르크의 12음기법의 새로움

At a time when the creation of new ideas and new products is considered more important than ever, this research reconsiders the role of the cultural domain in producing the future. As seen in the case of the twelve-tone technique provided by Arnold Schoenberg, which is considered a significant new one that exerted notable influence on contemporary music but which is explained as a continuation of the past by the composer himself, newness can be understood as a variant inherited from the past and what is embedded in the accumulation of preexisting cultural products and practices. For this discussion, “A Systems Model” suggested by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is explored. This paper argues for the significance of the cultural practices and products from the past for the creation of newness. By doing so, this research contributes to balancing the pursuit of newness with the consideration of the value of what is transmitted from the past, and suggests a way to elaborate Csikszentmihalyi’s theoretical model as well.

VOICES OF RESILIENCE: THE LANGUAGE AND ORAL TRADITIONS OF THE HIJRA COMMUNITY

This paper explores the intricate relationship between language, performance, and identity within the Hijra community, a marginalized group in South Asia known for its rich oral traditions. Through a detailed examination of the community's songs, rituals, and social practices, the study highlights how language serves as both a means of communication and a powerful symbol of cultural identity. The Hijra community primarily relies on oral narratives, utilizing regional scripts to document their songs while maintaining a vibrant oral culture. Interviews with community members reveal their daily lives, the challenges they face, and their unique role in performing blessings during significant life events. This research further investigates the performative aspects of their existence, illustrating how Hijras navigate societal norms and assert their identities through artistic expression. By categorizing their songs into distinct forms, such as Badhai and Banna-Banni Geet, the paper emphasizes the significance of these musical practices in preserving cultural heritage. Ultimately, the findings underscore the resilience of the Hijra community and the importance of language as a living expression of identity, history, and community.

Sustainable Practices and Quality Strategies Implemented in Rural Tourism in Romania

For both Romanians and foreigners, rural tourism in Romania is attractive. Although the literature provides information on strategies and measures that have been taken in the tourism industry to improve the quality of products and processes, the authors did not find studies on quality strategies and sustainability measures implemented in the rural tourism sector in Romania in the last period, which was severely affected by the pandemic. In order to highlight these strategies and the way in which their implementation is perceived by consumers, the authors conducted exploratory research and quantitative research. The results of the research showed that Romanians do not know the significance of quality strategies and sustainability practices, but appreciate the effects of their implementation by tourism units’ administrators.

Significance of cultural heritage practices in karst landscape management: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Significance of cultural heritage practices in karst landscape management: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Maintaining Connections, Cultivating Community: The Role of Transnational Translingual Literacy Sponsorships in One Adolescent’s Literacy Practices

Context: Transnational emergent multilingual (TEM) adolescents are young people who maintain emotional, social, economic, and physical connections and networks to more than one country, often a home country and a host country. Because of their linguistic identities and varied schooling experiences, when they enroll in U.S. public schools, many are designated as English Learners and subsequently positioned as “illiterate” or having “limited” linguistic and literacy skills through additional labels such as “limited/interrupted formal schooling.” Such linguistic and cultural erasure mirrors the systematic invisibility and intra-racial stereotyping that many adolescents, particularly those from Indigenous backgrounds, faced in their home countries. However, despite such positionings, many TEMs are highly literate and engage regularly in complex literacy practices. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to showcase the kinds of literacy practices that one TEM adolescent, Paula, engaged in, how, and to what end, as well as how those literacy practices reflected unique aspects of her multifaceted identity as an Indigenous transnational being. The languaging and literacy practices that TEMs like Paula engage in allow them to maintain their cultural and linguistic identities and social ties in multimodal, local, and transnational dimensions; yet, such practices and skills are not recognized or built upon in schools. As findings of this study indicate, TEMs’ engagement in such practices is also made possible through the support of both local and transnational “sponsorships” from individuals, including family, with whom TEMs actively maintain or establish relationships; yet, this kind of familial engagement often goes unrecognized by schools. Research Design: This article draws on ethnographic data gathered through sustained participation in the field. Data collection occurred across one school year and consisted of ethnographic observations, interviews, and artifact collection at a combined middle/high school newcomer school in an urban community. This article draws on a subset of data centered on Paula’s out-of-school literacy practices. Data analysis drew directly on the theoretical framework: Literacy sponsorship theory was used to identify who, if anyone, facilitated Paula’s participation in literacy practices and in what ways; translanguaging theory was used to identify how translanguaging was evident in the ways language was used and discussed; and border theory was used to identify the social significance of the literacy practices in Paula’s daily life, as well as how they embodied and represented her transnational identity. Such an analysis allowed for the understanding of how the literacy practices Paula engaged in reflected her life experiences as an Indigenous TEM, not only in terms of how she engaged in them, but also in terms of the significance they held in her day-to-day life. Conclusions: Findings indicate that Paula engaged in multimodal literacy practices, across languages, cultural contexts, and national boundaries, that were personally, spiritually, and intellectually sustaining. Outside the classroom, Paula was positioned as a sophisticated communicator who leveraged language and literacy knowledge to build relationships and meet the responsibilities of her daily life. Yet, the wherewithal and critical thinking visible in Paula’s life in her community were rarely visible or elicited in the classroom. As such, findings provide insights around how teachers and school personnel can better bridge the diverse community and classroom spaces TEMs navigate, thereby making school a more welcoming space for students and their families.

Ethical challenges faced by Korean development practitioners in international community development practices

Abstract Establishing development ethics is a rising concern for Korean NGOs with a relatively short history of engaging in international community development. This study explores the ethical challenges faced by Korean development practitioners. This study draws on in-depth interviews with 13 Korean development practitioners experienced in community development projects in Asia and Africa. The exploration of contexts affecting ethical practices suggests the influence of religion, professionalism and boundaries, neo-liberal and managerial culture. The findings of this study highlight the significance of reflective practices for development ethics by illustrating how development practitioners identified and constructed norms and principles through critical encounters with their emotions and challenges in practice. This study’s practical implications include drawing attention to emotions as a source of reflection by involving underpinning values and judgement. The importance of reflective practices warrants further exploration of building collective ethics to inform and challenge international community development practices.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Nursing Care Management in Radiology Departments: Challenges and Innovations

This article presents a thorough examination of nursing care management within radiology departments, highlighting the challenges and innovative practices that have emerged in this specialized field. The evolution of nursing roles in radiology is explored, from traditional responsibilities to the more complex, multifaceted roles they play in contemporary healthcare settings. Significant challenges are identified, including patient safety, management of radiological emergencies, handling of contrast media reactions, and ethical and legal considerations. The article emphasizes the critical skills and competencies required for radiology nurses, along with the importance of continuous training and professional development. It also explores the use of advanced technology in patient care, the implementation of patient-centered care approaches, and the significance of collaborative practices among interdisciplinary teams. Quality and safety measures within radiology nursing are examined, along with an overview of the current trends and future directions in the field. The article aims to provide insights into the integral role of nursing in radiology departments and to offer recommendations for enhancing patient care and safety in these settings.

Tragedy and Juridical Forms

Foucault returned to the text of Sophocles’s Oedipus Tyrannos at various critical junctures in his thought. This article homes in on the place of that tragedy in the passage from the analytic of knowledge-power to the problematization of government by truth that took place around 1980, namely in Foucault’s Collège de France lectures. Particular attention is placed on the delineation of the political meaning of “alethurgy,” a neologism through which Foucault sought to thematize the significance of practices concerned with the manifestation of truth for the exercise of political power. By drawing on historical and anthropological studies of Greek “pre-law,” Foucault was able to explore the juridical dimensions of the liturgy of truth, especially in the transition from the Homeric centrality of the agon to the emergence of the forensic inquiry with its reliance on the extraction of (slave) testimony. The reading of tragedy here doubles as a nuanced critique of the juridical production of truth, one with important connections to Foucault’s contemporaneous political efforts to support practices of legal defense that rejected the demand that the crimi nalized subject reveal himself in an “auto-alethurgy.”

“She’s Always Been a Fighter for Me”: Indigenous Mothers as Advocates and Defenders of Their LGBTIQSB + Children

There is no research into the experiences of Indigenous LGBTIQSB + young people and their mothers in the country now known as Australia. Based on a series of nine narrative interviews with young LGBTIQSB + people living in New South Wales, this article is the first to discuss Indigenous LGBTIQSB + children’s relationship with their Indigenous mothers. Indigenous mothers have been framed in ways that justified targeted settler state interventions situated within broader racialised biopolitical governance practices and the regulation of Indigenous lives. The findings of this research project provide a counter narrative to the current framing of Indigenous mothers and families as dysfunctional and in need of intervention by state and welfare agencies. Indigenous LGBTIQSB + young people speak to their experiences of coming out and the ways their Indigenous mothers defended, affirmed and advocated for them. Participants spoke of how Indigenous mothers provided them with protective skills and strategies that allowed them to effectively navigate close and extended familial and community contexts. This article demonstrates the significance of Indigenous mothering practices and values for the wellbeing of their LGBTIQSB + children.

Tweakments: Non‐surgical beauty technologies and future directions for the sociology of the body

AbstractScience, aesthetics, the body, and the concerns they attach to, such as gender, ‘race’, class, age and consumer culture, are key objects of sociological investigation. These discourses have been reignited in recent years by changes in the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicalised cosmetic procedures. The most popular of these procedures are non‐surgical ‘tweakments’ to the shape and/or appearance of the face, usually through use of ‘injectables’ such as Botox and dermal fillers. This shift in focus from surgical procedures to minimally invasive injections has led more practitioners to join the market of potential providers and a wider variety of consumers to seek them out. This has been accompanied by panic about the risks to bodies and aesthetic standards if stewardship of beauty should fall into the wrong hands. We trace the history of medicalised cosmetic practices and academic discourses on the body, particularly how cosmetic practices are understood to produce the body as gendered and racialised. We then suggest future approaches for exploring the sociological significance of new cosmetic practices. We encourage researchers to explore how imaginaries of (un)desirable bodies shape debates about appropriate use of non‐surgical cosmetic procedures, alongside investigation of the situated intersections of identity that are inscribed on bodies.

Sustainable procurement in construction and the realisation of the sustainable development goal (SDG) 12

As the major consumer of resources and energy, the construction industry has been at the heart of the debate on sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the overarching guidance for the construction industry to promote sustainable development from environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Moreover, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) are highlighted in the SDG 12, while Sustainable Procurement (SP) focuses on promoting sustainable development through procurement processes and decisions. However, little has been written about how the construction industry could turn the challenges of SP into opportunities that promotes procurement practices in accordance with national policies and priorities. This study examines the drivers and challenges on the adoption of sustainable procurement in construction and how it impacts the achievement of SDG 12. The quantitative approach using questionnaires identified the drivers and barriers to SP implementation in construction and the SP practices contributing to the realisation of SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production). The results confirmed that the construction industry should play a significant role in achieving the SDGs and show that construction SP practices contribute to the realisation of 9 of the SDG 12 targets. The results also suggested that governments should play a more active role in partnership with industry stakeholders and that the social and economic dimensions of sustainability deserve more attention. The value of this study is to provide construction industry stakeholder an insight into the drivers and challenges of SP and how to turn SP challenges into opportunities by adopting initiatives that consider the environmental, social, and economic impact of all procurement decisions. It also highlights the important role of the construction industry towards the realisation of the SDGs, particularly the significance of SP practices in the construction industry to the achievement of SDG 12.